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Hall of Fame Q&A: Local youth has questions for Carew

Former Minnesota Twin and baseball Hall of Famer Rod Carew answered questions for campers at the end of the Twins two-day Youth Camp held at Bielenberg Sports Complex in Woodbury. For more on Carew's visit to the area, check out the July 30 editions of the Woodbury Bulletin and South Washington County Bulletin. (Bulletin photo by Jace Frederick)

Youth ball players from the surrounding area had an opportunity to ask Hall of Famer Rod Carew anything they could think of Tuesday at Bielenberg Sports Complex as the Minnesota Twins wrapped up their two-day youth camp.

Here's a sampling of the queries thrown at Carew by the campers:

Q: What was the most home runs you ever hit in a season?

Carew: “14. I wasn’t much of a home run hitter. I could have hit more. I could have hit 20-25 . … But I’d rather go 4-for-4 than 1-for-4 with a home run.”

Q: What was your career average?

Carew: “.328” - Without much hesitation.

Q: Who was the hardest pitcher you ever went against?

Carew: I didn’t really face any. I’m just kidding. Rudy May. He could have thrown the ball like this [as Carew displays an underhand tossing motion] and he would have gotten me out.”

Q: Who’s the best player on the Twins right now?

Carew: “I’d have to say Joe [Mauer], because he’s done it. … But there are some guys in the minor leagues right now that are going to be good.”

Q: Did you ever win a World Series?

Carew: “No I never won a World Series, but I did come close.” Carew mentioned his rookie year, when the Twins held a one-game lead in the pennant race with two games to play in Boston. The Twins lost both games to the Red Sox, giving Boston the trip to the World Series. “And on the plane home I’ve never seen so many grown men cry in my life,” Carew said. “Because we thought we should have won.”

Q: What was your biggest hitting milestone?

Carew: “In 1977 I hit .388 and was chasing .400.”

Q: How many bats did you ever break?

Carew: “I didn’t break many bats.”

For more on Carew's visit to the area, check out the July 30 editions of the Woodbury Bulletin and South Washington County Bulletin.